SIR – It is with pain and sorrow that I write to you and in condolence with the tragic events that transpired on Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka.

The pain, loss and suffering that the victims and families are enduring and no doubt the Christian communities across the globe are feeling at the moment, is also my and the city’s pain here in Worcester.

It goes without saying that I and the Muslim community here in Worcester stand united with Christians here and across the globe in grief and condemnation.

There are huge efforts being made by terrorists and extremists across the globe to rip communities, nations and races apart and divide us, trying to sow the seeds of discontent among mankind.

Know that love and light will always endure and defeat darkness and hate and that this event gives me and the city even more of a reason to come closer together and extend the hand of friendship to the Christian community here in Worcester in solidarity, to strengthen the bond that we have.

My heart sinks and a feeling of helplessness of paralysis overwhelms me when events like this occur, but I battle on with my mission to unite this city and bring communities together, despite the doom and gloom in the world today, and focus on what little bit I personally can do with what I have.

It gives me hope that organisations such as the Worcestershire Inter Faith Forum do such a great job in promoting peace and harmony.

May peace be to you all.

Councillor Jabba Riaz,

Mayor of Worcester